Princesses or Patriots? China Girl Group Seeks AKB48’s Pop-Idol Crown

Watch out, AKB48. A new crew of contenders from China is coming for your girl-group crown.

56 Flowers is their name, and singing China’s praises is their game. Banking on a home market 1.4 billion people strong, the Chinese troupe is set on surpassing Japan’s beloved pop princesses as the world’s biggest idol group.

“China, China, I love you. The Chinese nation enjoys longevity,” the girls sang while traipsing to their theme tune, “China Dream, Most Beautiful,” in Communist-style mass-dance choreography. “Red, orange, yellow, green, indigo, blue, violet. Who is dancing with these color ribbons in the sky?” they crooned, rendering the opening lines to Chairman Mao’s 1933 poem, “Dabaidi.”

Such propagandistic kitsch is familiar fare for many Chinese, thanks to the Communist Party’s longstanding dominance of the country’s arts and entertainment scene. But while most patriotic performers boast party patronage, 56 Flowers—which says its members are drawn from across China’s 56 ethnic groups—purports to be a private venture with lofty commercial dreams.

“Look at our members, they possess plenty of youthful vigor unique to the Chinese people, unlike other idol groups [from Japan and South Korea] that bank on marketized aesthetics to woo audiences,” 56 Flowers’ artistic director told local television media after its debut revue, hosted by state broadcaster China Central Television.

“Our style embodies the unique graceful bearings of our Chinese nation,” said the artistic director, whose name was not given. “Our training is superior; our talents are more comprehensive.”

The group also boasts ideological aspirations, seeking to express its “political rightness and sense of purpose” with a repertoire of Communist-themed “red songs,” according to its website. The statement is reminiscent of the red song troupes encouraged by Chinese politician Bo Xilai—prior to his downfall in 2012—as part of a patriotism campaign in the southwestern city of Chongqing. Many local businessmen lined up to fund such cultural activities at the time.

Efforts to contact 56 Flowers’ representatives by phone and through social media weren’t successful. According to its website, the troupe plans to stage more shows, including regular performances in Beijing, though a schedule isn’t yet available.

In the meantime, 56 Flowers needs to bolster its ranks to match its rivals. AKB48, launched in 2005 with a 48-girl roster, has grown its lineup to roughly 140 members today, while its Shanghai-based sister group, SNH48, has a lineup of nearly 100 girls.

To this end, 56 Flowers already boasts a musical ensemble adept in classical Chinese instruments such as the zither-like guzheng and yue qin guitar. According to its WeChat account, the troupe wants to add associated acts, such as a full orchestra and a choir comprising girls with physical disabilities.